Folding table



(No Mod-e1.) I O. S. CARTER.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 543,609. Patented July 30, 1895.

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PATENT CHARLES S. CARTER, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,609, dated July so, 1895.

Application filed February 18, 1895- Serial No. (N0 m l-l To all whom, it may concern:

. Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. CARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and'exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has relation to that class of folding tables in which the top is formed in two hinged sections and the legs or supports pivoted together. and hinged to said top, whereby the several parts may be folded together in a compact form to economize space in packing and transportation or for other purposes.

Figure l of the drawings represents a side elevation of a table with the hinged sections of the top extended and my improved device in position for locking said hinged sections extended. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the parts folded together. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in detail, of a portion of each hinged section, showing them on an enlarged scale and more clearly illustrating the construction of the hinge; Fig. 4, a detail view in perspec tive of one of the brackets which forms the hinge and the link which forms the connection between the two brackets.

' In the accompanying drawings, A B represent the two sections or leaves which constitute the table-top, which top may be round, square, octagonal, or any other shape found most preferable. Upon the under side of the hinged sections are suitably fastened transverse cleats a, and to these cleats are hinged in any suitable manner the upper ends of the legs or supports CD. These legs or supports are pivoted together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and may be of any suitable construction and design, either ornamentalor plain. A peculiarly-constructed hinge is employed, which admits of dowel-pins b being used to form a close joint when the contacting edges of the sections A B come together, and also supporting the inner edges of the sections when in an extended position.

. This hinge consists of the two brackets E F, each being cast with a socket c to receive the ends of a flat-metal link G,'said ends being held within the sockets by pivots d, which enter holes in the walls of the sockets and through corresponding holes in the ends of the link. The brackets consist, substantially, of the sockets above described, the side leaves 6, which have screw-holes for attaching them to the edge of the table-sections, and the laterally-extending plates f, which come against the under side of the sections. The construc- 'tion of the brackets provides a very strong and durable hinge when the link is attached thereto, and allows the inner edges of the sections A B to swing out a sufficient distance to release the dowel-pins, so that the two hinged sections may be folded together.

The essential feature of my invention resides in the means employed for holding the hinged sections in an extended position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The device consists in the two springcatches H I, which terminate in shanks g for attaching them to the under side of the tablesections A B by screws or other suitable fastenings. The spring-catches have rounded or curved shoulders 72., so as to admit of each catch riding over the other until they automatically engage, which will securely and firmly hold the two table-sections in an extended position. The spring-catches maybe constructed of wood or metal or of both materials, as found desirable, and any number of these catches may be used.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a folding table, the two sections connected at their inner edges, and provided with dowel pins 1), the cleats a, and the legs 0, D, hinged to the cleats; combined with the two automatically engaging catches H, I, and hinges E, F, and connecting links G, pivoted to each half of the hinge; each part of the hinge consisting of the side leaf 6, which is recessed in one end of the section, the pocket 0 to receive one end of the link, and the horizontal flange f, which projects beyond the pocket and braces the under side of the corner of the section, substantially as described.

, In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. CARTER.

Witnesses:

W. M. E. WELDON, JOHN E. DE CAMP. 

